MEDFORD — Members of Sacred Heart Parish burst with pride when they heard that their longtime pastor had been named Bishop of the Diocese of Baker in central and eastern Oregon.

Dan Rice, a member of Sacred Heart, says Bishop-designate Liam Cary has qualities that denote exceptional character: lived-out holiness, “untiring dedication,” and an ability to reach out to all kinds of people, especially the sick, poor and homeless. Rice cites his former pastor’s “keen intellect,” which encompasses not only theology and scripture, but American and world history and current affairs. Bishop-designate Cary is a man of great wit, Rice added.

“All these make him an ideal man for this appointment, especially in these turbulent times in the country and the world,” Rice said.